Why is becoming a DM considered not worth it?

[Edward3c]

Hi ISA,

I think I mentioned Tim Lawrence the owner of DJL on both Koh Tao and Koh Lipe. Plus he’s the founder of SEA Explorer Club, diving on new wrecks in the 75-100m range.

 

[Wibble]

I will definitely look into intro to tech, but you are right that for the time being I am not interested in all the stuff that comes with tech diving, nor I am experienced enough. I know that is something that in general interests me, and people say that intro to tech would be good to actually improve.

The good news about technical vs. recreational is that it isn’t choosing one or the other. Sure, advanced technical diving is enormously different from bimbling around the house reef, certainly in terms of the equipment, procedures and planning. However, the core skills work regardless of where you’re diving.

Working towards excellence in your core skills can very much sit alongside your time bimbling around the house reef leading novice and recreational divers. Great core skills simplifies everything from photography, through monitoring your charges, dealing with problems under pressure, teaching, rescuing, even learning new skills; all so much easier.

Wouldn’t it be great to have better skills than your instructors


BTW I think it’s great that you’re heading off to be a DM in Thailand. I wish I could do that!

 

[Blackcrusader]

The last part of you message is interesting as I still struggle with wha you describe, stopping to look at something small

I do this all the time. Also I do not use a pointer stick. So for some of my macro photos or video I need to use my fins to hold my position. Some divers have commented how I seem to be like a humming bird, my arms and head staying still while the rest of my body floats around and me using my fins to control position. To get this photo I am head on into a a nice predator. Horizontal and letting the slight water movement move me around.

It just takes practice. The best way for you to practice this is to dive without a wetsuit as I do. Then go dive over an area with lots of fire corals. You'll soon learn where your limbs are and how to control your movements.

 

[Blackcrusader]

But for my thinking, to apply a full blown tech style technique to being a recreation dive master seems a little excessive. There could be a happy balance.

There was a thread on this here. Me n the right with a Korean lass instabuddy, and my friend Koz who just completed her IDC Course Director program last month.

THE "PERFECT ( being horizontal ) TRIM" HOAX

I often get into discourse with people who see my videos and go oh so you changed from horizontal and are not in perfect trim. My reply is that whatever position I am comfortable in is perfect trim for me. I hate that restricted view and get a sore neck from being in the "perfect trim" position...

scubaboard.com

 

[Diverspoint]

Thank you! I am currently trying to decide between Koh Lipe and Malaysia because I've been already diving there and I know the dive schools and instructors. I considered Koh Tao as I heard it's quite good and cheap, so I might think about going there and just see how it is before making a decision.

We did our DM on Koh Tao and had a great time.

1 of the things one learns doing the DM course is dealing with problems. As there are many OW courses starting there there are many problems to solve. So you learn.

But it is hard work though.

But after the course we left as soon as we could, but to come back for the instructor course there.

The professional courses are great there.

Doing the DM course is a cheap way of getting dives in, and building up knowledge.

I actually know a guy that did the course 3 times because of this

 

[Isa.nerwen]

We did our DM on Koh Tao and had a great time.

1 of the things one learns doing the DM course is dealing with problems. As there are many OW courses starting there there are many problems to solve. So you learn.

But it is hard work though.

But after the course we left as soon as we could, but to come back for the instructor course there.

The professional courses are great there.

Doing the DM course is a cheap way of getting dives in, and building up knowledge.

I actually know a guy that did the course 3 times because of this

Hahaha I get that. It works out cheaper than doing just fun dives!
I'm ok with the hard work

 

[Isa.nerwen]

I do this all the time. Also I do not use a pointer stick. So for some of my macro photos or video I need to use my fins to hold my position. Some divers have commented how I seem to be like a humming bird, my arms and head staying still while the rest of my body floats around and me using my fins to control position. To get this photo I am head on into a a nice predator. Horizontal and letting the slight water movement move me around.

It just takes practice. The best way for you to practice this is to dive without a wetsuit as I do. Then go dive over an area with lots of fire corals. You'll soon learn where your limbs are and how to control your movements.


View attachment 849327

I'll get there! All my divemasters I had were able to do that, just need more practice hehe

 

[Isa.nerwen]

Hi ISA,

I think I mentioned Tim Lawrence the owner of DJL on both Koh Tao and Koh Lipe. Plus he’s the founder of SEA Explorer Club, diving on new wrecks in the 75-100m range.

I'm just checking the website as they also offer tech diving, but they are very expensive compared to other prices

 

[Isa.nerwen]

One of the best snow seasons of my life was spent working 60 hours a week for minimum wage , hitchhiking to work in blizzards, half way starving because I was poor, and living with 15 roommates in a 2 bedroom house. Would I do it now? Hell no, but at 18 with no responsibilities hell yeah.

If diving was my hobby then it would have been a dive resort and not a ski resort.

If you want to do it, do it. Who cares what anyone else says? You’ll be poor but it will be a lot of fun and you’ll do a lot of diving even if it’s baby sitting. It’s not like it’s a career change, it’s an extended vacation.

I'm definitely not 18 but I don't really have responsibilities either so
I am currently travelling since last December, it won't really cost me more than travelling for 2 months

 

[lostsheep]

I'm definitely not 18 but I don't really have responsibilities either so
I am currently travelling since last December, it won't really cost me more than travelling for 2 months

I’m still 18, just have 2.5 decades of practice